Fewer than 10% of individuals who could benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the global health agency as it releases its first advice on the medications.
Considering over a billion people worldwide currently living with obesity, it is advocating for broader and more equitable availability to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, over two billion could be living with obesity by 2030 without intervention.
"Our latest guidelines acknowledges that excess weight is a chronic disease that can be managed with holistic and lifelong support," remarked WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
High costs, constrained manufacturing, and supply-chain constraints are key obstacles to broad access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing substantial body mass, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Supply Crisis
Even under the present most optimistic outlook, the production of these medications might only reach around 100 million people – under 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the health organization.
The guideline urges nations and manufacturers to increase access, through measures such as licensing agreements.
The intellectual property rights on the active ingredient – the core component of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Injections Work
These medications replicate a natural hormone to reduce digestion speed, reduce hunger and boost the sense of being full so people eat less.
People typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of beginning the regular doses.
Research indicates patients may regain a significant portion a year later of discontinuing the medication, as their usual hunger come back.
Being carrying excess weight raises your risk for developing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and specific cancers.
Excess weight impacts people in all nations and was responsible for over three and a half million deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
